(1) The 2016 Pizza PanDemonium will again take place at Highland Brewery May 15th featuring an Alice In Wonderland fashion show! For more info click HERE.

With pizza, beer, music, fashion, and charity, the 2nd Annual Pizza PanDemonium event is an intriguing blend with something for everyone. It takes place at Highland Brewing’s new event center on Sunday, May 15 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the spring weather while kicking back with locally brewed beer and a great variety of entertainment. Media sponsor is ROCK 105.1

Pizza PanDemonium, produced by Rock Eblen of Bioflyer Productions, presents a gourmet pizza cook-off by Asheville restaurants. Local pizza companies including Mellow Mushroom, Strada, Del Vecchios, and Frank’s Roman Pizza will show off their best slices with both judge and audience voting for prizes in three categories: 1) Best Meat Combo, 2) Best Veggie Combo, 3) People’s Choice. Brian Haynes will be a celebrity judge.

The $30 VIP ticket price (limited availability) includes preferred seating, complimentary pizza, and three craft beers by Highland Brewing. There will also be general admission tickets with $2 pizza slices ($17adv, $20 door) plus reduced teen and kid prices.

The fun kicks off with live music by Kendra Warren, Andalyn Lewis (plus a rising country star surprise guest), and the Hank West Band. Main event is the Wonderland Fashion Fantasy! This Alice in Wonderland inspired fashion show boasts over 30 models who will be walking the stage in stunning designs with professional hair and makeup styling. The designs will represent a twist on the famous characters from Lewis Carroll’s iconic novel. The fashion show is directed by Ginger Wilde and assisted by Sarah Merrill.

The fundraising is for The Appalachian Angels, a non-profit serving Western North Carolina which strives to help individuals and families in need, and Eblen Charities, which provides medical, energy, and emergency assistance to thousands of local families each year.

From Broadway musicals to Faerie Festivals, promoter Rock Eblen has made Bioflyer a successful fundraising vehicle for his family’s local service organization. Special events like ‘Pizza Pandemonium’ are benefits for (not produced by) Eblen Charities. They are solely created by Rock Eblen and Bioflyer Productions, LLC.

Please “Like” and keep a lookout for our next event on facebook by clicking here: Bioflyer Productions

(2) Thanks, ashevilledeals@gmail.com, for the following information:

Here is a list of some of the Arts Festivals in WNC. As always I suggest you go early, to avoid the crowds and get the best choice of items. Write back with corrections.

May 7-8, 2016: Weaverville Art Safari
Weaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the home and workplace of many of the area artists. Take a self-guided driving tour of the various artists’ studios, tucked away in the countryside communities of Weaverville, Barnardsville, and surrounding countryside.

May 21, 2016: Montford Arts and Music Festival
This street festival, including musical acts, food, and a juried art show, highlight the artistic strength of Montford, one of Asheville’s oldest neighborhoods. This giant neighborhood block party features 100 artists and craft’s persons, regional and international food plaza, and two stages of live music. 10 AM-7 PM. Free.

May 21, 2016: Saluda Arts Festival
The quaint mountain village of Saluda celebrates its heritage and arts culture from 10 AM to 5 PM on Historic Main Street in downtown Saluda. See a dazzling diversity of 2D and 3D art media including oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, pottery, wood turning, blacksmithing, sculpture, jewelry, painted furniture, stained glass, and more. Music representing Americana, blues, folk, and contemporary will be ongoing.

May 21-22, 2016: River District Artists Studio Stroll and RADical Days
The Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. There are hundred of artists in over 20 buildings. 5 minutes from downtown Asheville. 2 Trolleys will drive you around the area. 50 muralists and graffiti artists will be working on the building next to Riverview Station. 10 AM – 6 PM. Free.

May 28-29, 2016: Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour
Kenilworth neighborhood, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, annual Open Studio Tour features 20+ jewelers, painters, glass-workers, fabric artists, potters, woodworkers, photographers, and more! They open their studio doors to welcome visitors for sales and demonstrations. 10AM-5PM.

May 28-29, 2016: White Squirrel Festival
Go nuts in downtown Brevard with a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts and more.

May 28-30, 2016: Lake Lure Arts Festival
See handmade creations from more than 60 artisans from across the region. Free admission. Across from The Beach at Lake Lure, 2771 Memorial Highway.

June 4 & 11, 2016: Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Come to Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville to see work of more than a dozen local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, clothing designers and photographers. Live music also. 10 AM-4 PM

June 4, 2016: Clay Day at Folk Art Center
This free event (10AM-4PM) features craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and adults. Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild demonstrate throwing on the potter’s wheel, hand building and surface design on clay, among other techniques. A highlight of the day is the Make and Take Raku Firing.

June 3-5, 2016: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Free.

June 11, 2016: Bluff Mountain Festival
This free, family-friendly festival in Hot Springs features great old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging and square dance, and a silent auction and raffle of regional art work, local crafts, vacation packages, and more. The festival produced by Madison County Arts Council, begins at 10 AM, offers an array of delicious foods and ends with a square dance until dark.

June 25-26, 2016: Summertime Art & Crafts Show
Held in the Ramsey Center arena on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, the show is home to some of the most respected and unique artisans in the Appalachian Mountains with more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their contemporary and heritage art & crafts. An array of items will be displayed for sale, including: fine art, woodworking, pottery, weaving and gourd art. Heritage crafts such as shaker brooms, pine needle baskets and folk dolls will also be available, along with heirloom fabric items.

July 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2016: Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Come to Pritchard Park in the center of downtown Asheville to see work of more than a dozen local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, clothing designers and photographers. Live music. 10 AM-4 PM

July 2-5, 2016: Freedom Arts & Crafts Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville

July 21-24, 2016: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The big Craft Fair, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, showcases juried work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Admission.

July 30, 2016: International Day
This street festival in downtown Waynesville is the ultimate cultural exchange with international and regional artwork, international cuisine, international dance and music from Folkmoot USA, and regional music and dance.

August 13 & 20, 2016: Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Come to Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville for works of more than a dozen local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, clothing designers and photographers. Live music also. 10 AM-4 PM

August 6-7, 2016: Village Art & Craft Fair
Held on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, the fair hosts 100+ artists from 20 states representing the full spectrum of craft media – jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more. Free.

August 6, 2016: Wood Day
Wood Day is an event that brings together the woodworkers of the Southern Highland Craft Guild to demonstrate a wide range of woodworking techniques and skills at the Folk Art Center from 10 AM-4 PM. Free.

August 13-14, 2016: Sourwood Festival
There’s always plenty to see and do at this free street festival in downtown Black Mountain with great music and lots of fun, and of course lots of great mountain cookin’.

August 20-21, 2016: Come to Leicester Studio Tour
Take a free, self-guided tour to 23 studios and shops in Leicester, a community nestled in the mountains near Asheville. A detailed tour map will be available at every tour stop. 10 AM-6 PM

September 3, 17 & 24, 2016: Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Come to Pritchard Park in the center of downtown Asheville to see work of more than a dozen local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, clothing designers and photographers. Live music also. 10 AM-4 PM

September 17-18, 2016: Heritage Weekend
This is the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s weekend to celebrate heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains. See craft techniques with hand tools, native materials, and lots of ingenuity through demonstrations in the native arts at the Folk Art Center. In addition to crafts, traditional music and storytelling. World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday.

September 17, 2016: Art in Autumn
Downtown Weaverville street festival with more than 100 juried artists and craftspeople, along with an exciting array of food and live music. 10 AM-5 PM on Main Street. Six miles north of Asheville. Free.

October 1, 2016: Color Fest, Art & Taste of Appalachia
40 local demonstrating artists who will fill the picturesque town of Dillsboro with color. See artists painting at easels under colorful umbrellas, hear stands of music blossoming through the doorways, and experience a delicious taste of NC foods and wines. 10 AM-4 PM. Free

October 1, 8 & 15, 2016: Asheville Art in the Park
See and buy fine arts and crafts from local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown.

October 8, 2016: Church Street Art & Craft Show
Main Street in downtown Waynesville is transformed into an art & craft marketplace for this one-day event; widely known as one of the finest juried art shows in the region. Live mountain music & clogging, entertainment, food. 10 AM-5 PM.

October 10-11, 2015: Spruce Pine Potter’s Market
This unique gathering of the region’s greatest potters and clay artists features wonderful food and beautiful handmade pottery on a colorful autumn weekend at the historic 31 Cross Street Building in downtown Spruce Pine. Admission is free.

October 15-16, 2016: Lake Lure Arts Festival
See handmade creations from more than 60 artisans from across the region. Free admission. Across from The Beach at Lake Lure, 2771 Memorial Highway.

October 15, 2016: Apple Harvest Festival
Plenty of crafts, music and apples in downtown Waynesville, 10-5

October 29-30, 2016: Weaverville Art Safari
Located ten minutes north of Asheville, Weaverville is the home to many extremely talented artists. Drive to studios and galleries tucked away in the countryside. Free.

November 5, 2016: Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
A juried event in Dillsboro with approximately 45 potters from across the Southeast.

November 12-13, 2016: River District Artists Studio Stroll
Tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists – from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville. Free.

November 19, 2016: Christmas Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville.

November 25-26, 2016: Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Held at the Western Carolina University Ramsey Center in Cullowhee. A perennial favorite for unique regional arts and crafts at great prices. 100+ potters, glass artists, wood craft, folk dolls, and hard to find Old World Santa’s and ornaments.

December 3 & 10, 2016
Guild Artist Holiday Sale at Folk Art Center. Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be on hand in the center’s auditorium to sell select work 10-50% off retail.

December 2-4, 2016: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided adventure. Free.

An evening of dancing to the sounds of Rhoda Weaver and the Soul Mates. Motown and more! The incredibly talented Rhoda Weaver will amaze you with her rich, soulful voice. Her talented band, The Soul Mates, will bring you to the dance floor with their sound and beat! No Cover Charge! Call Olive or Twist to make dinner reservations for a good seat.

(5) Bonnie Sibner in NC: I will be making my acting debut, Tuesday night, 8:30 pm, May 10th at ACT. The cost for this is a big 0.00. This is an improv class that I have been taking for the past eight weeks. As our final class, we will be performing in front of a live audience. Feel free to invite anybody you like, or don’t like for that matter😜.

This should be a fun night, and the best part is, it’s free! That being said, Any donation to ACT would be greatly appreciated. No obligation! I really just want you to come and have fun.

Please RSVP to me by email at bsibner@gmail.com , just so we can get an idea of how many to expect.

Hope to see you there!!!

(6) Evelyn B. in NC [about THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, now at the Flat Rock Playhouse]: This was a musical play based on the actual meeting of these 4 greats on one day in The Memphis HQ of Sun Records. The play tells the story of how the musicians were developed by Sun, how their careers evolved, and how they moved on in their careers. These actors can really sing and play. And the brash but oh so talented Jerry Lee Louis character was so funny. This guy played the piano upside down and almost inside out! Marvelous afternoon. Was singing in the parking lot!